Katyn': Katyń Memorial Complex in the Surrounding Area

• The Katyń Memorial Complex is located near Katyn'.
• Its memorial sites include burial grounds, a sculptural composition and the Wall of Remembrance.
• Exhibitions cover topics including Russian-Polish relations and the history of political repression.
• The wayfinding system on the grounds provides information in Russian, English and Polish.

The Katyń Memorial Complex is Russia's first international memorial complex for victims of totalitarian repression. One burial ground is dedicated to residents of Smolensk Oblast who fell victim to political repression. Polish prisoners of war are buried in a military cemetery. The two areas represent different groups whose commemoration is part of the complex.

The so-called “Valley of Death” contains the “Rasstrel” sculptural composition and the Wall of Remembrance. The valley is a site of mass graves of residents of Smolensk Oblast who fell victim to political repression. The names of residents sentenced to death as victims of political repression are commemorated on the wall. The sculptural composition was unveiled there in 2018.

The Church of the Resurrection of Christ, an Orthodox memorial church for victims of political repression, stands next to the memorial complex. It adds a religious dimension to the memorial sites. Exploring the different areas allows you to distinguish between burial sites, artistic design and church commemoration.

At the Museum and Exhibition Centre, the exhibition “Rossiya i Pol'sha. XX vek. Stranitsy istorii” (“Russia and Poland. The 20th Century. Pages of History”) presents Russian-Polish relations in the 20th and early 21st centuries. Its theme traces the history of both countries over an extended period.

The pavilion at the main entrance is also an important exhibition venue. It serves to welcome and assist tourists. It houses the photo-documentary exhibition “Totalitarnoe proshloe Smolenshchiny” (“The Totalitarian Past of Smolensk Oblast”); documentary films are also shown there. Another exhibition in the pavilion is entitled “Sokhranyonnaya pamyat'” (“Preserved Memory”).

The exhibitions on the grounds also include “Pol'sko-sovetskaya voyna 1919–1921 gg. Sud'ba krasnoarmeytsev v pol'skom plenu” (“The Polish-Soviet War of 1919–1921: The Fate of Red Army Soldiers in Polish Captivity”) and “Zabveniyu ne podlezhit” (“Not to Be Forgotten”). The exhibition “GULAG na kolesakh” (“GULAG on Wheels”) is devoted to the history of dekulakization. The topics thus range from relations between Russia and Poland to specific chapters in the history of repression.

The wayfinding system covers the entire site. There is a large map by the parking area, with directional signs and map panels providing additional guidance. Information boards at individual sites provide further details. The information is available in Russian, English and Polish. The signs help you identify the different stops along the way.

You can plan your visit around your interests: the burial sites and the Wall of Remembrance convey different aspects of remembrance, while the exhibitions explore individual historical topics in greater depth. For specific visitor information, it is advisable to check the latest details in advance.

Discover more destinations: Bibirevo, Sheverdino, Lipuny, Vyazma, Baskakovo, Svishchevo, Luzhki, Novye Bateki.

Which languages does the wayfinding system offer?

Information on the grounds is available in Russian, English and Polish.

Where is the “Preserved Memory” exhibition located?

It is located in the pavilion at the main entrance to the Katyń Memorial Complex.

What is “GULAG on Wheels” about?

The exhibition at the memorial complex is devoted to the history of dekulakization.

Go to the main travel overview: Smolensk Oblast.